8-tägiges Luxus-Rwanda-Safari: Gorillas und See Kivu

This 8 day luxury Rwanda safari is built around a slow pace and private transfers. You spend two nights in Akagera for game drives and a boat cruise, travel to Lake Kivu for a full leisure day, move to the volcanoes with a rest day before trekking, and trek the gorillas on day seven. There are no early flights and no shared vehicles, and every long drive is followed by an easy day, which is what the price pays for beyond the permits and park fees.

The idea behind this route is simple: do the long drives early in the trip and keep the end of the trip gentle. Akagera comes first, so that the game drives and the boat cruise happen while you are fresh. The drive across to Lake Kivu follows, and you then have a whole day beside the lake with nothing planned: a swim, a boat excursion, a coffee experience or a walk with a local guide if you wish. Only then do you drive to the volcanoes and spend a day resting before the gorillas. Our guide to what a private luxury Rwanda safari costs explains where the budget goes on a trip like this.

The differences from a standard Rwanda tour are mostly about how the days run: private vehicle and guide, hotels and lodges in the upper tier, airport assistance on arrival where it can be arranged, and no day that asks you to be somewhere at dawn after a long drive. Read what a luxury Rwanda safari package includes and the guide to the best luxury eco-lodges in Rwanda to see what the upper tier looks like. Browse the gorilla trekking page and the Rwanda destination page.

Easy until day seven. Game drives and the lake days involve no real walking, and the one demanding day is the gorilla trek, which is steep, muddy and at altitude, and can last from one to several hours each way. A porter is included. If you have a health condition, tell us in advance, because we brief the rangers so that the trek is matched to the group. Our guide to how difficult gorilla trekking in Rwanda is will help you prepare.

June to September and December to February are the driest months and the best for game drives and trekking. They are also the busiest, and the upper-tier lodges fill early, so book several months ahead. March to May and October to November are wetter, greener and quieter, and the lake days work well in every month. Gorilla permits are limited, so tell us your dates first.

This tour suits couples, honeymooners, families with older children and anyone who would rather have fewer activities and more comfort. It is the right choice if you dislike early starts after long drives. If you want a shorter luxury trip, see the 5-day luxury gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda and Lake Kivu. If you want the very top end, look at the 13-day ultra-luxury Rwanda safari.

Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what matters to you, and we will tell you what the upper tier looks like at the time you travel. We advise on visas free of charge. Lodges and hotels are confirmed when you book, and we do not promise a property in advance. Read the best things to do in Lake Kivu for ideas for the lake day.

For a journey that gives more back to the communities, see our Signature Journey, the 7-day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour with culture and ReGreen.